The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a stern warning following reports of a drone attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. This facility, under Russian control, recently experienced what could be the first drone strike within its perimeter since April 2024.
IAEA’s chief, Rafael Grossi, has articulated ‘serious concern’ regarding this incident. The report arrives amid accusations from Russia, claiming Ukraine intentionally targeted the plant. Kyiv, however, dismissed these charges as a ‘propaganda ploy.’
Newsweek has reached out to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry for further comment.
The Significance of the Situation
Currently, Ukrainian operators continue to staff the plant, which is near the front lines. The possibility of a nuclear accident at Zaporizhzhia has been a persistent worry for international experts. Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of threatening the plant’s safety.
Historical Context and Concerns
Russian troops assumed control of the plant after capturing the town of Enerhodar in March 2022, soon after launching a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
These events echo the shadow of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, which killed at least 30 people initially and exposed millions to radiation. Control of Chernobyl briefly fell under Russian forces in early 2022.
Current Claims and Inspectors’ Actions
Senior Russian official Mikhail Ulyanov mentioned in Vienna that the IAEA experts are assessing the site at Zaporizhzhia. The agency has requested uninterrupted access to the plant.
Since February 2022, the site has lost off-site power over a dozen times. Although currently inactive, it requires off-site power for safety.
IAEA’s Safety Measures
In March 2022, the IAEA outlined ‘seven indispensable pillars’ to maintain nuclear safety in Ukraine during the conflict. These include the continuous availability of off-site power at all Ukrainian nuclear sites.
By May 2023, the agency declared ‘five concrete principles’ urging both parties to avoid any attacks involving the Zaporizhzhia plant, particularly around its reactors.